 Expert - Naohiro Goda | |
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| Naohiro is a leading journalist and commentator in Japan with regular television shows on networks such as NHK Network and Green Channel. He is a regular contributor for newspapers, magazines and websites including Sports Nippon, Weekly Gallop, and netkeiba.com. He also operates a bloodstock business marketing firm. Naohiro is a frequent international racing traveler and a regular visitor to the Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin. | |
Expert Column for Sprinters Stakes (S1-1) (Naohiro Goda)
S1-1 Sprinters Stakes
While we are missing TOWER OF LONDON, winner of the G1 Sprinters Stakes in 2019, who has had foot injury, and Hong Kong sprinters, who could not join this race due to travel restrictions, the field of 54th running of the Sprinters Stakes is full of attractive speed stars and it is interesting renewal.
It looks there are three horses who have lively chance, MOZU SUPERFLARE, GRAN ALEGRIA and DANON SMASH. When you read through the results of the last ten running of the Sprinters Stakes, you find seven out of twenty first and second finishers are fillies or mares, and I believe I should select my first choice from two female sprinters on the short list.
MOZU SUPERFLARE is lucky winner of the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen at Chukyo on 29th March, because she actually finished second and promoted to first after lengthy stewards’ inquiry which demoted KURINO GAUDI, first finisher, to fourth place due to an interference. The 5YO mare by SPEIGHTSTOWN was not only lucky, but also very fast and tough, as she was an inch ahead by KURINO GAUDI, although the track had turned yielding against MOZU SUPERFLARE’s preference. Right-handed 1,200m track at Nakayama is her favourite course, where she won three races from five starts and finished second twice, including the Sprinters Stakes in 2019 when she was beaten half a length by TOWER OF LONDON.
It is not an easy race for front runners, as ULTRA FANTASY is the only horse who completed wire-to-wire victory in last ten runnings of the Sprinters Stakes, though, PAS DE TROIS in 2011, HAKUSAN MOON in 2013, MIKKI ISLE in 2016, and MOZU SUPERFLARE herself in 2019 tried to make all and finished second in the end. I believe MOZU SUPERFLARE is able to dominate the race at front and she is my first choice.
GRAN ALEGRIA covered final 600m for 33.1 seconds, the quickest among 18 runners, in the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen and her performance was as impressive as MOZU SUPERFLARE. After the Takamatsunomiya Kinen, she extended the distance and won the G1 Yasuda Kinen over 1,600m at Tokyo on 7th June, beating ALMOND EYE. Though she has not started since then, she is a horse who need long enough gap between races and I believe she is ready to run her race on Sunday. The homestretch at Nakayama is shorter than Tokyo and Chukyo, which is negative factor for the closer, and I understand the best trip for the 4YO filly by DEEP IMPACT is 1,400m and further, however, I believe GRAN ALEGRIA is still one of top contenders and is my second choice.
DANON SMASH is a consistent sprinter and collected his sixth Graded Stakes, when the 5YO horse won the G2 Centaur Stakes at Chukyo on 13th September. And he finished third in the Sprinters Stakes twelve months ago, beaten by half a length and neck. DANON SMASH is my third choice.
My fourth choice is RED EN CIEL, who won the G3 Kitakyushu Kinen at Kokura on 23rd August, beating MOZU SUPERFLARE. The 6YO horse by MANHATTAN CAFE was put on blinker in the G3 Kitakyushu Kinen and it worked well.
DIATONIC who won the G3 Hakodate Sprint Stakes after finishing third in the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen, is my fifth choice. Though he was well beaten in the G3 Keeneland Cup, the ground was too heavy for him.
SELECTIONS: 2. MOZU SUPERFLARE, 10. GRAN ALEGRIA, 3. DANON SMASH, 13. RED EN CIEL & 9. DIATONIC
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